Drill bit jig

ABSTRACT

A drill bit jig includes an elongate member, two jig securing elements and a drill bit guide. The drill bit guide includes a plurality of through holes where the axes of the through holes are parallel to the axis of the elongate member. Each of the plurality of through holes in the drill bit guide has a different diameter for accommodating drill bits of different thicknesses. The jig securing elements each include an L-shaped bolt and a door protecting material encasing one of the straight sections of the bolt. The drill bit jig also includes a core check to determine if a hole being drilled along the width of the door is straight.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application entitled“Drill Bit Jig,” Ser. No. 13/415,680, filed Mar. 8, 2012, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Drill BitJig”, Ser. No. 61/450,501 filed Mar. 8, 2011, and is acontinuation-in-part of earlier U.S. Utility Patent Application entitled“DRILL BIT JIG,” Ser. No. 12/650,987, filed Dec. 31, 2009, now patented,U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,939, issued on Jun. 24, 2014, which is acontinuation-in-part of the earlier U.S. Utility Patent Applicationentitled “DRILL BIT JIG,” Ser. No. 11/852,109, filed Sep. 7, 2007, nowpatented, U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,420, issued on Apr. 10, 2012, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Drill BitJig”, Ser. No. 60/843,245 filed Sep. 7, 2006, the disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to jigs and more particularly to jigsfor positioning and guiding drill bits and methods for using such jigsto drill elongate holes without marring a surface of a metal work piece.

2. State of the Art

In the past, technicians installing security systems on doors have usedline of sight to align a bit during hand drilling of a hole in agenerally widthwise direction from a hinge area to a bolt area of asecurity door. Often this method of “eye-balling” has resulted inruining or damaging the door by drilling through a front or rear surfaceof the door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to jigs and more particularly tojigs for positioning and guiding drill bits during a drilling operation.

In a simple form, the present invention may include a jig having anelongate member with a longitudinal axis. The jig may also include atleast one adjustable jig securing element adjustably supported on theelongate member. The jig may also include at least one rotatable drillbit guide piece protruding transversely relative to the elongate memberand rotatable to account for deflection of a drill bit travellingthrough a door. The jig may also have structure in the bit guide piecethat forms a through opening in the bit guide piece. The through openingmay extend lengthwise in a direction generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the elongate member.

The jig securing element may include an L-shaped bolt passing throughthe elongate member. An elbow portion and a shorter straight section ofthe L-configured bolt may extend transversely on a first clamping sideof the elongate member while a longer straight section of theL-configured bolt may extend transversely on a second tightening side ofthe elongate member. At least a portion of the longer straight sectionmay be threaded. A threaded knob or nut may be received on threads ofthe straight threaded portion. The threaded knob or nut may be turned ina first direction to draw the bolt through the sliding piece in a firsttightening direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongatemember and to extend the bolt through the sliding piece in an oppositesecond loosening direction that is also transverse to the longitudinalaxis.

The jig may include two jig securing elements substantially similar tothe jig securing element described above. Thus, the elbow portion ofrespective jig securing elements may be engaged on opposite edges of awork piece to be drilled.

The bit guide may be incorporated into one or more blocks or plates. Theblock may extend transverse to the elongate member on the first clampingside of the jig. Thus, when the jig is secured to the work piece, thebit guide may be aligned so that the through hole lies in a plane of thework piece. By aligning the elongate member along a line to be drilledthrough the work piece, the bit guide may be placed to guide a bitthrough the work piece along a predetermined line during drilling. Thus,errors in drilling may be avoided.

It is to be understood that several holes of a variety of sizes and/orpositions may be provided in the block that incorporates the bit guide.Thus, a user may select any of a variety of bit sizes and may drill atany of a variety of locations to accommodate different applications anddifferent thicknesses of work pieces.

In another simple form, a method of drilling through a width of a workpiece in accordance with the present invention may include aligning ajig with a desired line of drilling. The method may include securing thejig to the work piece. The method may include inserting a drill bitthrough a desired bit guide secured to or forming part of the jig. Themethod may include drilling widthwise through the work piece along theline of drilling.

The method enables drilling through the width of the work piece withoutaccidentally penetrating a surface in a thickness direction of the workpiece. The work piece may be a door having a height and a thickness inaddition to a width. The line of drilling may be any transversedirection relative to a height dimension of the door. Alternatively, thejig may be used to drill in a height direction of the door. The presentinvention enables drilling through a width, a height, or any diagonaldirection between a width and a height without penetrating through afront or a rear surface of the door. Overall, the jig of the presentinvention may be used to drill in any direction or any plane of thedoor.

The method may include aligning an elongate member in an alignedposition relative to a line to be drilled on the work piece. The step ofsecuring may include clamping the elongate member in the alignedposition. The step of aligning may include aligning a through hole inthe bit guide with a desired location on a thickness of the work pieceto be drilled. The step of securing may include aligning a longitudinalaxis of the through hole in the bit guide with a longitudinal axis ofthe elongate member in a generally parallel relationship. The step ofaligning may include selecting a through opening from among a pluralityof through holes in the bit guide and inserting a drill bit through theselected through opening. Alternatively or additionally, the step ofaligning may include placing one or more spacers between the elongatemember and a clamping knob of the jig securing element to accommodatework pieces of varying thicknesses.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a drill bit jigsystem comprising an elongate member; a hollow metal door bit comprisinga shaft body and a bit tip; two jig securing elements; and a drill bitguide having through holes for receiving the at least one drill hollowmetal door bit, wherein the hollow metal door bit tip creates a starterhole in a spline of a hollow metal door in response to applying force toan end of the hollow metal door bit opposing the bit tip.

Another embodiment includes a drill bit jig system comprising anelongate member; at least one drill bit; two jig securing elements; adrill bit guide; and a guide line inscribed onto the elongate member,wherein the drill bit guide guides a drill bit through the work piecealong the guide line during drilling.

Further, another embodiment includes a drill bit jig system comprisingan elongate member; a drill bit; two jig securing elements coupled tothe elongate member for securing the elongate member to a door; a drillbit guide having a hole for receiving the drill bit; and a core checkcomprising a shaft body and a probe coupled to an end of the body shaft,wherein the core check indicates whether a hole being drilled throughthe door by the drill bit is straight in response to operating the corecheck.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a jig, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a rear elevation view of a jig, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first end of the jig and a drill bitguide, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second end of the jig, in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a jig securing element, in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the jig securing element, in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view the first end of the jig, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first end of the jig with a bitpartially removed, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first end of the jig with a lockingpin in place, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a back side of the second end of thejig, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using the jig, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a drill bit jigin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 B is a side view of the jig of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11 C is an end view of the jig of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view a drill bit jig for use on hollow metaldoors.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a hollow metal door bit.

FIG. 14 is a side view hollow metal door bit operating within a hollowmetal door.

FIG. 15A is a top view of a drill bit jig.

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a first pad of a drill bit jig.

FIG. 15C is a perspective view of a second pad of a drill bit jig.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a mortise bit.

FIG. 17A is a side view of a core check.

FIGS. 17B-17D are top views of a drill bit jig system using a corecheck.

FIG. 18 is an end view of a drill bit jig system.

FIGS. 19A-19C are end views of a hole of a drill bit guide of a drillbit jig system with a core check in operation.

FIG. 20 is a side view a drill bit operating within a hollow metal door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to jigsin general and more specifically to jigs for positioning and guidingdrill bits and methods for using such jigs to drill elongate holeswithout marring a surface of a work piece.

FIGS. 1-3 show a jig 12 secured to a door 13. The jig 12 includes anelongate member 15, two jig securing elements 18 and 21, and a bit guide24. In practice, the knob 80 and a hinge (not shown) would be removedand the elongate member 15 would be aligned with the opening in the door13 that receives the knob 80. Then a hole would be drilled in agenerally widthwise direction from the knob area to the hinge mountingarea. Then wiring for carrying security signals could be placed in thehole.

At least one of the jig securing elements 18, 21 is adjustable along alength of the elongate member 15. In a particular embodiment, shown inFIG. 1, jig securing element 18 is adjustable along the length of theelongate member 15 by providing a plurality of through holes 35 in theelongate member 15. In this embodiment, the jig securing element 18 maybe positioned in any one of the plurality of through holes 35 toaccommodate doors of different widths. Alternatively, the jig securingelement 18 may be adjustable by, for example and without limitation,replacing the through holes 35 with an elongate channel such that thejig securing element 18 may slide along the channel, or providing a jigsecuring element that surrounds the elongate member 15 and is thusslidable along the outside of the elongate member 15. In a still furtherexample, either one or both of the jig securing elements 18 and 21 maybe adjustable using any of the configurations discussed above at one orboth ends of the elongate member 15.

FIG. 2 depicts the jig securing element 21 that is proximate to the bitguide 24. The bit guide 24 is shown extending transversely from theelongate member 15 and positioned in alignment with the thickness aspect14 of the door 13. The drill bit guide 24 may be rigidly attached to theelongate member 15 using any effective attachment means. For example andwithout limitation, the drill bit guide 24 may be attached to theelongate member 15 by screws, bolts, welding, adhesive, etc. The throughopenings 27, 28, 29 and 30 that form part of the bit guide 24 havelongitudinal axes that are aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe elongate member 15. Thus, when a bit is guided through one of theopenings 27, 28, 29 and 30 in the bit guide 24 and drilled through thedoor 13, the bit can remain aligned in a plane generally parallel to thedoor 13 and avoid damage or ruin to the door 13 by the bit coming outthrough the front or rear face of the door 13 in a thickness direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the through openings 27, 28, 29 and 30 mayhave bushings or liners 127, 128, 129 and 130 to protect the throughholes 27, 28, 29 and 30 against premature wear. Also, the bushings 127,128, 129 and 130 may advantageously provide reduced friction between thebits and the jig 12 during drilling.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, there are two sets ofthrough openings in the bit guide 24 and each set includes two throughopenings with different diameters to accommodate two different sizes ofdrill bits. Through openings 27 and 28 are a first set of openings andthrough openings 29 and 30 are a second set of through openings, wherethrough openings 27 and 29 have smaller diameters than through openings28 and 30. Through openings 27 and 29 have substantially equal diametersand through openings 28 and 30 have substantially equal diameters. Thus,depending on the thickness of the door, a user can choose where toposition the hole to be drilled by choosing one of the sets of throughopenings. Thus, the drill bit guide 24 can accommodate drill bits of avariety of sizes. Specifically, the drill bit guide 24 can accommodatedrill bits with outer diameters that are slightly smaller than the innerdiameters of the through openings 27, 28, 29 and 30. It should be notedthat the drill bit guide 24 may have more or less than two sets ofthrough openings and that each set may include more or less than twothrough openings. For example, the drill bit guide 24 may include threesets of through openings with three through openings in each set.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the jig securing element 18. It should beunderstood that the jig securing element 21 is substantially identicalto jig securing element 18. The jig securing element 18 includes anL-shaped bolt 42 with an elbow portion 45, a longer straight section 48and a shorter straight section encased by a door protecting material 47.At least part of the longer straight section 48 may have threads 41 thatreceive a clamping knob 46. The jig securing element 18 further includesa spacer 44 to accommodate different work piece thicknesses and toensure that the threaded portion 41 of the bolt 42 does not pass throughthe holes 35 and 36 (shown in FIG. 7) in the elongate member 15 duringclamping.

The material 47 may be generally rectangular and may be made of, forexample and without limitation, plastic, UHMW plastic, polyethylene,wood, vinyl, polymer or any other material that will not cause damage tothe surface of the door 13 during clamping engagement of the jig 12 onthe door 13. In an alternative embodiment, the jig securing elements 18and 21 may be provided without the door protecting material so that theshorter straight section of the L-shaped bolt 42 is in direct contactwith the surface of the door when the jig 12 is in the clamped position.In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the L-shaped bolt 42 isslightly pivotable within the protecting material 47 because an opening43 in which the shorter straight section is disposed is larger than thediameter of the bolt 42. A bar 54 retains the bolt 42 within theprotecting material 47. FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing the angle 52through which the bolt 42 may pivot. As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness49 of the protecting material 47 is such that the generally rectangularpiece of protecting material 47 may fit in the opening 53 between thedoor 13 and the door jamb 51.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the jig 12 is secured to the door 13 bypositioning the jig securing elements 18 and 21 in through holes in theelongate member 15. Specifically, the long portion 48 of the L-shapedbolt 42 of jig securing element 18 passes through one of the pluralityof through holes 35 disposed in one end the elongate member 15 and thelong portion 48 of the L-shaped bolt 42 of jig securing element 21passes through a through hole 36 (see FIG. 7) in the other end of theelongate member 15. The one of the plurality of through holes 35 throughwhich the jig securing element 18 passes is chosen based on the width ofthe door 13 to be drilled. Thus, the jig 12 may be adjusted to befittingly secured to doors having any of a variety of widths generallycorresponding to a dimension 32. The elongate member 15 is in contactwith a first surface of the door 13. The protecting material 47 and theshorter straight sections of the L-shaped bolts 42 encased therein arein contact with a second surface of the door 13. The position of the jig12 is maintained by tightening the clamping knobs 46 on the threadedsections 48 of the bolts 42 of the jig securing elements 18 and 21 suchthat the door 13 and the elongate member 15 are clamped between theprotecting material 47 and the spacers 44. Due to the length of thethreaded section 41 and the spacer 44, the jig 12 may be adjusted to befittingly secured to doors having any of a variety of thicknessesgenerally corresponding to a dimension 14.

As may be appreciated, the elongate member 15 may be formed of agenerally hollow rectangular member that includes a plurality of throughholes 35 and 36 (shown in FIG. 7) extending through the elongate member15 in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of theelongate member 15. In a particular embodiment, the hollow rectangularmember may be configured to support one or more bits within the jig 12.In another particular embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the hollow member isfilled with a protective filling material 62 that includes holes 64therein for containing the bits 66. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,there are two holes 64, but it should be understood that the material 62may contain more or less holes of varying sizes, depending on the numberand size of the bits. Thus, a user may have an option for bit sizes andmay enjoy the convenience of having the bits 66 kept together with thejig 12. Furthermore, the bits 66 are protected from any marring andusers are protected from injury by the bits 66. The bits 66 used inwidthwise drilling applications must be free from damage on the bit tipsin order to be capable of drilling an entire width without deviating andcoming out through a front or rear surface of the door in a thicknessdirection.

FIG. 7 shows the bit 66 in a partially protracted state relative to thestowed condition when completely inside the elongate member 15. In orderto maintain the bits 66 within the elongate member 15 during storageand/or transport, a pin 74 is positioned within the through hole 72.After positioning the pin 74 in the through hole 72, the pin 74 may belocked in place with locking mechanism 76 as shown in FIG. 8. It shouldbe understood that the pin 74 and locking mechanism 76 are provided asexamples, but any other effective configuration could be used tomaintain the position of the bit 66 within the elongate member 15 duringstorage.

As shown in FIG. 9, guide lines or scores 146 and 148 may be inscribedor scored onto the elongate member 15 on the end of the elongate member15 that is distal from the bit guide 24. The guide lines are inalignment with respective through openings 27, 28, 29 and 30 in the bitguide 24. Similar lines or scores may be placed on an opposite lateralface of the elongate member 15 for sighting from that side by a userduring positioning of the jig 12 on a door. However, since the elongatemember 15 will generally extend beyond the widthwise edges of the door,the scores or lines shown in FIG. 9 may be sufficient.

As shown in FIG. 10, a method 200 of using the jig 12 to drill a hole ina widthwise direction through a door includes step 202 of selecting adrill bit and removing the drill bit from within the elongate member 15of the jig 12. Step 204 includes aligning the jig 12 with a desired lineof drilling. Next, in step 206, the jig 12 is secured to the door. Thestep 206 of securing the jig 12 to the door includes inserting the jigsecuring elements 18 and 21 into through holes 35 and 36 in the elongatemember 15 and turning a clamping knob 46 in a tightening direction sothat the jig 12 is clampingly secured to the door. Then, the drill bitis inserted through one of the holes 27, 28, 29 and 30 in the bit guide24 in step 208. In step 210, the hole is drilled through the door alongthe desired line of drilling. In step 212, the drill bit is removed fromthe door. In step 214, the jig 12 is removed from the door. The step 214of removing the jig 12 from the door further includes turning theclamping knobs 46 of the jig securing elements 18 and 21 in a looseningdirection and removing the jig securing elements 18 and 21 from thethrough holes 35 and 36 in the elongate member 15. Finally, in step 216,the drill bit is placed within the elongate member 15 of the jig 12 forstorage.

The elongate member 15 is shown and described generally as being long ina direction corresponding to a width of a door. However, the elongatemember 15 may be replaced by any member that may or may not be elongate.The member may be elongate in a direction other than the width of thedoor to which the jig is to be attached. The member need only have anaspect that may be aligned with a line to be drilled for perception bythe user. For example, an inscribed line or score line on a memberformed of sheet material could function in the same way and enable auser to align the through openings of the bit guide with the line.

Referring to the drawings again, FIGS. 11A-C depict a jig 312 inaccordance with particular embodiments of the present invention. The jig312 includes an elongate member 315, two jig securing elements (notshown but similar to securing elements 18 and 21 discussed above), and arotatable bit guide 324. In practice, the knob and a hinge of a doorwould be removed and the elongate member 315 would be aligned with theopening in the door that receives the knob. Then a hole would be drilledin a generally widthwise direction from the knob area to the hingemounting area. Then wiring for carrying security signals could be placedin the hole.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11A-C aresubstantially similar to that of the previous embodiments discussedabove with the exception of the rotatable drill bit guide 324. Therotatable bit guide 324 is shown extending transversely from theelongate member 315 and in operation is positioned in alignment with thethickness aspect of a door. The rotatable drill bit guide 324 comprisesan axis of rotation 330 coupling a first end 334 of the drill bit guideto the elongate member 315. The rotatable drill bit guide 324 furthercomprises an adjustment mechanism 332 coupled between a second end 336of the rotatable drill bit guide 324 and the elongate member 315,wherein the rotatable drill bit guide 324 rotates about the axis ofrotation 330 in response to actuation of the adjustment mechanism 332.In particular embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 332 is a bolt,wherein the adjustment mechanism 332 is actuated in response to rotationof the bolt. The rotation of the adjustment mechanism 332 in eachdirection corresponds to a direction rotation of the rotatable drill bitguide 324. This occurs as the rotation of the adjustment mechanism movesthe second end 336 toward and away from the elongate member 315. Therotatable drill bit guide 324 is rotated through a predetermined rangeof rotation depicted as angle 337, wherein the range of rotation isdetermined by the adjustment mechanism 332. The rotation of the drillbit guide 324 results in the change of angle 337 between the drill bitguide 324 and the elongate member 315. This allows the drill bit toenter the door at a user defined angle 337 in order to account fordeflection of the drill bit as it travels through the door, therebyallowing the drill bit to exit the door dead center on the other sideand to further prevent inadvertent damage to the faces of the door.

While shown that the first end 334 includes the axis of rotation 330 andthe adjustment mechanism 332 is coupled to the second end 336, it willbe understood that the positions of the axis of rotation 330 and theadjustment mechanism 332 may be flipped, wherein the axis of rotation iscoupled to the second end 336 and the adjustment mechanism 332 iscoupled to the first end 334. In this embodiment, the adjustmentsdescribed above for the first end 334 and second end 336 would also beflipped during operation of the drill bit jig 312.

The rotatable drill bit guide 324 includes through openings 327 and 328that form part of the bit guide 324 and have longitudinal axes that arealigned to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member 315. Thus, when abit is guided through one of the openings 327 and 328 in the rotatabledrill bit guide 324 and drilled through a door, the bit can remainaligned and avoid damage or ruin to the door by the bit coming outthrough the front or rear face of the door in a thickness direction.Depending on the core material of the door, such as a wood core, amineral core, a steel core and the like, the drill bit may deflect acertain amount and result in a the drill existing off dead center, orfurther exiting the door through the front or rear face of the door.This deflection is often caused by the inability of the drill bit totransfer all of the shaving of the door material out of the hole beingdrilled. The rotatable drill bit guide 324, is rotatable to account forsuch deflection to ensure that the drill bit exits the door in apredictable manner and without unnecessary damage to the door.

The jig 312 may further include notches 356. One function of the notches356 is to allow a user to clean out debris and other material resultingfrom the drilling process to reduce wear on drill bit guide 324.

Further, the jig 312 may further include bushings 350 and 352 that areinserted within the through openings 327 and 328 respectively. Thebushings or liners 350 and 352 protect the through holes 327 and 328against premature wear. Also, the bushings 350 and 352 mayadvantageously provide reduced friction between the bits and the jig 312during drilling.

As the bushings 350 and 352 wear, they need to be replaced. In order toreplace the bushings 350 and 352, a user uses a bushing driver 354 thatmay inserted within the through openings 327 and 328 by use of notches356. A force by use of a driver may be applied to the bushing driver 354in order to extract and push the bushings 350 and 352 out. During timesof non-use, the bushing drivers 354 are stored within bushing driverretainers 360. The bushing driver retainers 360 may be coupled withinthe drill bit guide 324 proximate an end of the drill bit guide 324. Thebushing driver retainers 360 receive the bushing drivers 354 and retainthem within the bushing driver retainers 360 by use of set screws 362that are moveable between an engaged and disengaged position, whereinthe engaged position is one wherein the set screws 362 contact thebushing drivers 354 and the disengaged position is when the set screws362 do not contact the bushing drivers 354. When the set screws 362 aremoved from the engaged to the disengaged position, the bushing drivers354 can be removed. According to particular embodiments, an allen wrenchor other type of elongate tool is inserted within slots 363 and is slidalong the slot by applied force from a user, wherein the allen wrenchpushed the bushing drivers 354 out of the bushing driver retainers 360.

The jig 312 may further include bushing retainers 364 for receiving thebushings 350 and 352. The bushing retainers 364 are coupled within theelongate member 315 proximate and end of the elongate member 315. Thebushings are held within the bushing retainers 364 by use a retainingmember 366. In particular embodiments, the retaining member 366 overlapseach of the bushing retainers 364 in order to prevent accidental slidingout of the bushings 350 and 352. The retaining member 366 is held inplace by use of a bolt, wherein to engage and disengage the retainingmember 366 from bushing retainers 364, the bolt may be inserted orremoved respectively. Disengaging the retaining member 366, allows theuser to remove the bushings 350 and 352.

Further, the drill bit jig may include drill bit retainers 374 coupledwithin the elongate members 315 proximate end and extendingsubstantially the entire length of the elongate member 315 for receivingdrill bits 376. Further, the drill bit jig 312 may further include astarter bit retainer 370 to releasably retain a starter bit 372 forstarting the drilling process. A locking mechanism 378, such as, but notlimited to, a snap pin may be used to retain the drill bits 376 andstart bit 372 within their respective retainers.

Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may also include anattachment guide 380, wherein the attachment guide comprises throughholes 382 and 384 having bushings 386 and 388. The attachment guide 380is removably coupled to the rotatable drill bit guide 324 in order toallow a user to drill through the center of a door that is wide. Theattachment guide 380 may be coupled by use of bolts to the drill bitguide 324.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method of usingthe jig 312 to drill a hole in a widthwise direction through a door. Themethod includes the steps of selecting a drill bit and removing thedrill bit from within the elongate member 315 of the jig 312; aligningthe jig 312 with a desired line of drilling; mounting the jig to thedoor; rotating the rotatable drill bit guide 324 to account fordeflection of the drill bit through the work piece; drilling the holealong the desired line of drilling using the drill bit; and removing thejig from the work piece. The step of securing the jig 312 to the doorincludes inserting the jig securing elements into through holes in theelongate member 315 and turning a clamping knob in a tighteningdirection so that the jig 312 is clampingly secured to the door. Then,the drill bit is inserted through one of the holes 327 and 328 in thebit guide 324. The step of removing the jig 312 from the door furtherincludes turning the clamping knobs of the jig securing elements in aloosening direction and removing the jig securing elements from thethrough holes in the elongate member 315. Finally, the drill bit isplaced within the elongate member 315 of the jig 312 for storage.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, an additional embodiment of the presentinvention may include a drill bit jig 412 for drilling into and coringhollow metal doors. The drill bit jig 412 may include similar featuresas jig 12 or jig 312, and accordingly, the elements and components ofjig 12 and jig 312 may be incorporated into jig 412. The jig 412 may beused with a drill bit to drill through an outer edge of the metal door406. The drill bit jig 412 further includes a hollow metal door bit 400.Once a hole is created through an edge of the metal door 406, the hollowmetal door bit 400 may then be used to extend through the hole and drillthrough filler material 407. The hollow metal door bit 400 extendsthrough the filler material 407 with minimal bending. The fillermaterial 407 may be foam, cardboard, combinations of foam and cardboardor other type of material that functions as filler material 407. In someinstances, metal door 406 does not have any filler material 407.

The hollow metal door bit 400 comprises a bit tip 402. The bit tip 402allows the hollow metal door bit 400 to drill through the fillermaterial 407 without the need to expel shaving of the filler material407 being drilled out of the door 406. Conventional means for drillingcreate significant debris from shavings of filler material 407. This isavoided by use of hollow metal door bit 400.

Some hollow metal doors 406 include metal splines 408 that extend thelength of the door 406 and also extend the depth of the door 406. Thesesplines 408 serve to provide structural strength to the door 406. Thesesplines require drilling through during a coring process of a hollowmetal door. Drilling through the spline 408 allows the running of wirethrough the hole drilled through the door 406. Without the ability todrill through the splines 408, the coring process would not becompleted. In instances with doors 406 with splines 408, the bit tip 402of the hollow metal door bit 400 has a second function. In addition toallowing for drilling through filler material 407, the bit tip 402 canserve as a starter bit. The hollow metal door bit 400 has a tip thatinitially engages a spline 408 within the metal door 406. The tip 402comprises a point, wherein a user may apply blunt force to an end of thebit 400 opposing the tip 402. This blunt force results in the tip 402punching partially into and/or through the spline 408 to create astarter hole. The hollow metal door bit 400 may then be extracted backout of the door 406 and a conventional drilling bit 66 inserted into thedoor through the same hole drilled by the hollow metal door bit 400. Asshown in FIG. 20, the conventional drill bit 66 then engages the starterhole, thereby allowing the drill bit 66 to drill through the spline 408with greater ease, wherein the drill bit 66 includes flutes for removingmaterial from the spline from within the door.

The hollow metal door bit 400 acting as a starter bit is even morecritical when drilling at an angle, which is the most common type ofdrilling during a coring process of a door. A conventional drill bitwould deflect causing bending once it engaged a spline 408 at an angle.This often results in breakage of the drill bit and damage to the door406. The hollow metal door bit 400 prevents deflection of the drill bitby creating a hole that the drill bit engages.

The hollow metal door bit 400 may further comprise one or moreextraction holes 404. The extraction holes 404 may be used to receive awire or other type of line. The user may then extract the hollow metaldoor bit 400 from the hole in the door created by the bit 400 andthereby pulling the wire through the hole that was formed by the bit400. In at least this manner the hollow metal door bit 400 is extractedand the wire pulled through the hole. Further, there is a notch 409engaging each of the holes 404 on opposing sides of the shaft of thehollow metal door bit 400. The notch 409 on each side allows for thewire to be adjusted and placed within the notch 404 in order to preventshearing of the wire during extraction of the metal door bit 400.

Having a plurality of holes 404 in the hollow metal door bit 400provides extended use of the hollow metal door bit 400. The bit tip 402of the hollow metal door bit 400 may become dull after several uses. Thetip may be sharpened, such as by use of a grinder for example.Sharpening the tip 402 of the hollow metal door bit 400 results inremoving material from the tip to create a sharpened point. As more andmore material is removed during several sharpening processes, the tip402 will eventually engulf the furthermost hole 404, whereupon a usermay then use the next successive hole down the shaft of the hollow metaldoor bit 400.

This process of using the hollow metal door bit 400 to drill throughfiller material 407 and create a starter hole in the spline 408 may berepeated for as many splines 408 that are within the door 406. Also onthe opposing end of the door 406, the hollow metal door bit 400 may beused to create a starter hole. Again this is more critical when drillingat an angle.

Referring again to the drawings, FIG. 15A-15C depict a drill bit jigsystem 12 comprising an elongate member 15, a drill bit 66, two jigsecuring elements 18 coupled to the elongate member 15 for securing theelongate member 15 to a door 14, a drill bit guide 524 having a hole 30or 29 or 450 for receiving the drill bit 66, and a first and second pad470 and 472 respectively. The drill bit guide 524 may be fixed orrotatable as described in various drill bit guides previously discussedin this disclosure. The first pad 470 includes a plurality of apertures471 and a channel 476. The first pad 470 is held in a single positionand removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member 15. Theapertures 471 correspond to apertures in the elongate member 15. A jigsecuring element 18 extends through the aperture 471. The second pad 472includes a plurality of apertures 473 and a channel 478. The second pad472 is slideable and removably coupled to a portion of the elongatemember 15. The apertures 473 correspond to apertures in the elongatemember 15. A jig securing element 18 extends through the aperture 473.

The first and second pads 470 and 472 operate to allow the drill bit jig12 to affix to a door 14 even if the door 14 is warped. The pads createa space between the elongate member 15 and the door 14. Further if thedoor 14 has any decorative features on the face, such as the glass, thepads 470 and 472 serve to create a space and not damage the decorativefeature. Further still, the pads 470 and 472 are removably to allow forthe indexing of the bit deeper in the thickness of a door, particularlyon custom doors that have a larger thickness than typical doors.

Referring again to the drawings, FIGS. 17-19 depict a drill bit jigsystem 12 comprising an elongate member 15, a drill bit 66, two jigsecuring elements 18 coupled to the elongate member 15 for securing theelongate member 15 to a door 14, a drill bit guide 524 having a hole 30or 29 or 450 for receiving the drill bit 66, and a core check 420comprising a shaft body 422 and a probe 424 coupled to an end of thebody shaft 422. The core check 420 indicates whether a hole beingdrilled through the door 14 by the drill bit 66 is straight in responseto operating the core check 420. The probe 424 of the core check 420comprises a diameter that is substantially the same diameter as thedrill bit 66. The shaft body 422 of the core check 420 comprises adiameter is smaller than the diameter of the probe 424.

As shown in the drawings, an end of the body shaft 422 opposite of theprobe 424 remains substantially in a middle section 440 of the hole 30in the drill bit guide 524 (FIG. 17C and FIG. 19A) or moves to a firstor second side section 442 or 444 (FIG. 17B, FIG. 17D, FIG. 19B, andFIG. 19C) respectively during operation of the core check 420 byinserting the core check 420 through the hole 30 of the drill bit guide524 and into a hole in the door 14 formed by the drill bit 66. The probe424 of the core check 420 is directed toward a face 430 or 432 of thedoor if the end of the body shaft 422 opposite of the probe 424 moves toone of the first or second side sections 442 or 444. The core check 420indicates the hole being drilled by the drill bit 66 is directed towarda face of the door 430 or 432 in response to the end of the body shaft422 opposite of the probe 424 moving to one of the first or second sidesections 442 or 444. If the end of the body shaft 422 opposite of theprobe 424 remains in the middle section 440, the core check 420indicates the hole is straight.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 18, the drill bit guide 524 may furtherinclude a mortise hole 450 for use with a mortise bit 460. The mortisebit 460 includes a shaft body 466 that extends through the mortise hole450. The mortise bit 460 also includes a cutting tip 464 and a collar462. The collar 462 is removably coupled to the shaft body 466. Inoperation, the shaft body is inserted through the mortise hole 450 ofthe bit guide 24, and the collar 462 is removably secured to the shaftbody 466. The collar 462 operates to limit the range of travel of themortise bit 460 through the mortise hole 450 by engaging a side of thebit guide 524 to prevent further travel. This allows a user to set thedepth of the cut to be made by the mortise bit 460.

It is to be understood that the bit sizes that may be used with thepresent invention are limitless. In a broad range the bit sizes mayinclude sizes from one thirty-second of an inch to one and a half inchesin diameter. In another range the bit sizes may range from one eighth toone inch in diameter. In still another range, the bit sizes may rangefrom three sixteenths to three fourths of an inch in diameter. In stillanother range the bit sizes may range from one quarter inch to one halfinch in diameter. Sizes of one quarter inch, five sixteenths inch, andthree eighths inch are standard bit sizes that may be used inconjunction with the present invention. The through openings of the bitguide may be made to accommodate these sizes and any size within theranges set forth above. The through opening diameters may be made toaccommodate predetermined sizes within these ranges with or withoutliners or bushings.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims.

1. A drill bit jig system comprising: an elongate member; a hollow metaldoor bit comprising a shaft body without flutes and a bit tip; a drillbit with flutes; two jig securing elements; and a drill bit guide havingthrough holes for receiving the hollow metal door bit and the drill bittherethrough for drilling, wherein the hollow metal door bit drillsthrough a filler material of a hollow metal door in response to drillingthe bit tip through the filler material, wherein the drill bit drillsthrough a spline of the hollow metal door after the bit tip of thehollow metal door bit creates a starter hole in the spline.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the hollow metal door bit comprises a shaftbody and a bit tip.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the hollow metaldoor bit comprises a hole extending through the shaft body adjacent thebit tip.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the hole is sized and shapedto receive a wire therethrough for running a guide wire through thehollow metal door in response to extracting the hollow metal door bitfrom the metal door.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the hollow metaldoor bit drills through a filler material of a hollow metal door inresponse to drilling the bit tip through the filler material.